Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Doubts (3)
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The vacation was quite long. A full two weeks. Occasionally, photos would pop up from Ji-young—sudden selfies of her in a bikini with Scarlett. Kwon Oh called to check in now and then. There was no word from Eun-woo and Airin, but honestly, that was for the best. They weren't close enough to chat on the phone just from sparring a few times, and he had no desire to picture the lovey-dovey duo and end up with a stomachache.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying their time off, which was a relief. Su-ho figured he was having his own kind of fun, too. Jin Seong-hyeok shot him a disbelieving look.
"Are you really having fun?"
"Well, I'm enjoying it in my own way, aren't I?"
"Training every single day? You're living a seriously boring life, you know that? Go on a date or something. Your big bro will hook you up."
"I'll think about it after we clear out the Last Zone."
Su-ho really was spending every day training. His routine never changed. He'd wake up, work out, then train with Jin Seong-hyeok. After half a day of that, he'd wrap up in the testing room.
Today had been another grueling full day of training. As Su-ho lay sprawled on his bed, about to drift off, something occurred to him.
"Hyung."
"What."
"This just popped into my head."
Su-ho continued, looking puzzled.
"Why do you think Deadlock was so desperate to find you?"
"Probably because I've killed so many of them. It wanted revenge."
"It didn't feel like plain revenge, though. It seemed like it really wanted to see you."
Deadlock's words kept nagging at him.
"Back then, when I asked why it feared you... what did Deadlock say...?"
"Fear... of the spear is the same for humans and us."
The missing word at the start was frustrating.
"Fear... of the spear, that's what it said. I can't remember the rest."
And then,
"Fakes that aren't the creator must die."
A fake that wasn't the creator. Did that mean Su-ho was calling Jin Seong-hyeok a fake? Suddenly, the reason Jin Seong-hyeok might be a fake...
Wait.
Su-ho's expression hardened.
The unheard word started with "spear." And Deadlock's final words began with "creator."
What if the missing word was "creator"?
"Fear of the creator is the same for humans and us."
Su-ho's pupils trembled. That response had come when he'd asked Deadlock why it feared Jin Seong-hyeok.
"What does it mean that you're the creator?"
"...What?"
"Deadlock definitely called you the creator when it saw you. Fear of the creator is the same for humans and us."
In other words,
"Doesn't that mean the monsters fear you because you're the creator?"
Jin Seong-hyeok didn't respond. Su-ho just stared at him gravely, demanding an answer.
Jin Seong-hyeok burst out laughing.
"Do you even know what 'creator' means?"
"Huh?... The one who created them? The maker?"
"So, literally, you're saying I created the monsters? Does that even make sense to you?"
The one who made the monsters.
Now that he thought about it, he'd gotten hung up on Deadlock's words, but it was nonsense.
How could Jin Seong-hyeok create monsters? No matter how incredible an SSS-grade Hunter he was, he couldn't make monsters.
Su-ho felt ridiculous for even briefly suspecting Jin Seong-hyeok based on Deadlock's ramblings.
"Yeah, looking back, it's totally absurd. Monster creator? Come on."
Su-ho shook his head. Jin Seong-hyeok chuckled.
"Who knows? It might not be far off. The monsters reset and respawn because of me, after all."
Su-ho let out a short "Ah" of realization.
"Oh, that could be it."
"You've got time for wild theories, huh?"
"...Well..."
"Guess your workouts weren't enough."
"Hold on, hyung... it was just a passing thought...!"
"Brace yourself starting tomorrow."
True to his word, the next day, training volume doubled. Before learning new techniques to tackle the Last Zone's monsters, Jin Seong-hyeok wanted to build up Su-ho's existing abilities. Su-ho buckled down, snapping his fingers diligently again.
Gi-uk tossed the ball, and Su-ho snapped to burst it mid-flight.
Snap.
Boom!
The power was far greater than before.
Against Deadlock, unlike other monsters, it hadn't burst. He'd tuned the frequency perfectly and hit it twice, but no explosion.
Deadlock had taken heavy internal damage, sure, but it still wasn't enough. Su-ho had nearly died when Deadlock crushed his heart.
He knew heading into the Last Zone like this was suicide. Unless he could one-shot Deadlock, at least.
Su-ho clenched his fist, his eyes blazing like flames.
Snap.
Boom!
The blast was so fierce it whipped Gi-uk's hair.
"...You're stronger than last time."
Gi-uk had watched from the start and noticed the change. Su-ho was surpassing yesterday's power.
The daily growth looked nothing short of miraculous to Gi-uk.
"Secretary Min Gi-uk."
Gi-uk had zoned out staring, forgetting to toss the next ball.
"Sorry."
He hurled it right away. It bounced once, then snap—exploded. As fragments piled up, an unwelcome visitor sought Su-ho out.
"Well, if it isn't Hunter Cha Su-ho."
Gi-uk had just run out of balls and gone to fetch more. Su-ho's brow furrowed slightly at the suit-clad man approaching: Dae-geon.
"Long time no see."
Su-ho reluctantly shook the outstretched hand, like it was a formality.
"Yeah. What brings the Center 1 Director here?"
"I'm the Center 1 Director, so of course I come to Center 1. And Center 1 is basically our branch HQ."
"I thought you lived at Association HQ."
"I stay there too. But for now, I'll be at Center 1."
Slippery bastard. He never shows his face usually, and now he pulls this Center 1 crap.
Jin Seong-hyeok tsked in disgust. Su-ho felt the same. He couldn't shake the uneasy vibe from their last encounter at HQ. Not knowing why only made him want to avoid the guy more.
"In the middle of training?"
Dae-geon eyed the ball fragments.
"Yes."
"Tough going?"
"Not really."
"How's your condition?"
Su-ho clamped his mouth shut. Now it was an interrogation. And Dae-geon's concerned expression grated on him.
"I don't like anyone around when I'm training."
"Didn't your secretary handle the balls earlier?"
"He's just tossing them."
Dae-geon smiled brightly.
"Then I can stick around."
Damn it.
The guy was no pushover, but Su-ho wasn't backing down. He had zero interest in cozying up to some director.
"No. Secretary Min is fine, but you're... uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable, huh."
Dae-geon's eyebrow twitched. His blank face gave nothing away.
"Got it. Wouldn't want to interrupt training."
Su-ho thought he was finally leaving, but Dae-geon continued.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho."
"Yes?"
"Care to grab a meal?"
A meal. Worst-case scenario.
"I'm on a strict diet these days."
"Tea then. You can spare a cup with the Center 1 Director, right?"
The words carried unspoken pressure.
He'd cling if refused. Su-ho just wanted to sip tea once and cut ties. Clearly, the guy aimed to push him to stay at Center 1.
"Fine."
"Great. Meet me in the Center 1 reception room after training."
Dae-geon turned.
"I'll be waiting."
Gi-uk returned just then. Watching Dae-geon go, he asked Su-ho.
"The Center 1 Director stopped by?"
"Yeah. Just to mess with my training."
"I see."
Gi-uk picked up a ball. Su-ho spoke up.
"Said to come to the reception room after training. Know where that is?"
"The Center 1 Director invited you?"
"Yes."
Gi-uk nodded.
"I'll show you."
"Thanks. Let's keep training then."
Su-ho eyed the five boxes Gi-uk brought. Tennis balls. Bursting them all would take time.
Remembering Dae-geon's "I'll be waiting," Su-ho scoffed. Let him wait.
People like Association heads or directors probably weren't used to it. They'd rage at waiting for a mere Hunter.
Gi-uk hurried to unpack balls. Su-ho grinned.
"Take it slow."
"Pardon? Don't you need to hurry?"
"What could be more urgent than training?"
Jin Seong-hyeok cracked up at Su-ho's brazen reply.
I thought you were clueless, but you've got spine. Sneaky shade too.
Guess I taught you well.
Why? Blame you for all my bad habits?
Just stating facts.
Jin Seong-hyeok snorted.
Anyway, obvious what the Center 1 Director wants.
Yeah. Stay at Center 1, same spiel as the 5th Branch Director.
Su-ho suddenly wondered about the 5th Branch Director. Reading his mind, Jin Seong-hyeok spoke.
That pig gets in trouble, best he can hope for is roast pork.
Pig in trouble becomes roast?
Su-ho couldn't hold back the laugh.
Ah... roast pork. Hyung, your dad jokes are next level.
Dad jokes? I'm not a dad. Girls still call me oppa.
Sure they do.
"Hunter Cha Su-ho?"
Gi-uk looked puzzled at Su-ho bursting into laughter mid-training.
"Sorry. An old funny story came to mind."
Su-ho turned to Jin Seong-hyeok.
Hyung, no jokes around people from now on.
You're laughing at dad jokes—aren't you the dad?
Su-ho flinched.
...I'm still in my twenties.
Sure. Dad confirmed.
No, twenties...
Train.
Su-ho had dished it out and gotten it back twofold.